Hartmann Schedel's Nuremberg Chronicle (Liber Chronicarum) was published in two editions, Latin and German, both in 1493, appearing in print just before Christopher Columbus' discoveries completely re-shaped the European view of the World. This splendid work presented the history of the world in a pictorial encyclopedia with approximately 285 pages of text and 1,800 woodcut illustrations. Among these illustrations are views of towns and cities throughout Europe and the Near East. The majority of these views are entirely imaginary. In fact, 49 of the views are actually printed from the same group of 14 woodblocks. There are also 30 double-page views of cities with more realistic images. In addition to the topographical images, there are an enormous number of other subjects, including diagrams of the Creation, comets, family trees, portraits & biblical scenes. The text was compiled and edited by Hartmann Schedel, printed by Anton Koberger, with illustrations designed by Michael Wohlgemuth and Willem Pleydenwurff, who cut the woodblocks, probably with the assistance of their apprentice, Albrecht Durer.

This dramatic woodblock illustration shows the fall of the Antichrist. On the left the Antichrist beguiles the people with a devil whispering in his ear. On the right two witnesses give their testimony from a pulpit. The hill at center is the Mount of Olives, from which Christ ascended into Heaven and from which the Antichrist is cast into Hell. At top the Antichrist is smitten by Michael the Archangel and dragged by devils toward Hell. German text on recto.

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Condition: B+

A sharp impression on a bright sheet with the watermark of a two-barred cross. There is light soiling, mostly along the edges of the sheet.